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Pfeifer BA, Beitelshees M, Hill A, Bassett J, Jones CH. Harnessing synthetic biology for advancing RNA therapeutics and vaccine design. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2023; 9:60. [PMID: 38036580 PMCID: PMC10689799 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-023-00323-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent global events have drawn into focus the diversity of options for combatting disease across a spectrum of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. The recent success of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines has paved the way for RNA-based treatments to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry. However, historical treatment options are continuously updated and reimagined in the context of novel technical developments, such as those facilitated through the application of synthetic biology. When it comes to the development of genetic forms of therapies and vaccines, synthetic biology offers diverse tools and approaches to influence the content, dosage, and breadth of treatment with the prospect of economic advantage provided in time and cost benefits. This can be achieved by utilizing the broad tools within this discipline to enhance the functionality and efficacy of pharmaceutical agent sequences. This review will describe how synthetic biology principles can augment RNA-based treatments through optimizing not only the vaccine antigen, therapeutic construct, therapeutic activity, and delivery vector. The enhancement of RNA vaccine technology through implementing synthetic biology has the potential to shape the next generation of vaccines and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaine A Pfeifer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | - Andrew Hill
- Pfizer, 66 Hudson Boulevard, New York, NY, 10001, USA
| | - Justin Bassett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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2
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Li Y, Cooper BH, Liu Y, Wu D, Zhang X, Rohs R, Qin PZ. CRISPR-Cas9 Activities with Truncated 16-Nucleotide RNA Guides Are Tuned by Target Duplex Stability Beyond the RNA/DNA Hybrid. Biochemistry 2023; 62:2541-2548. [PMID: 37552860 PMCID: PMC10578059 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 has been adapted as a readily programmable genome manipulation agent, and continuing technological advances rely on an in-depth mechanistic understanding of Cas9 target discrimination. Cas9 interrogates a target by unwinding the DNA duplex to form an R-loop, where the RNA guide hybridizes with one of the DNA strands. It has been shown that RNA guides shorter than the normal length of 20-nucleotide (-nt) support Cas9 cleavage activity by enabling partial unwinding beyond the RNA/DNA hybrid. To investigate whether DNA segment beyond the RNA/DNA hybrid can impact Cas9 target discrimination with truncated guides, Cas9 double-stranded DNA cleavage rates (kcat) were measured with 16-nt guides on targets with varying sequences at +17 to +20 positions distal to the protospacer-adjacent-motif (PAM). The data reveal a log-linear inverse correlation between kcat and the PAM+(17-20) DNA duplex dissociation free energy (ΔGNN(17-20)0), with sequences having smaller ΔGNN(17-20)0 showing faster cleavage and a higher degree of unwinding. The results indicate that, with a 16-nt guide, "peripheral" DNA sequences beyond the RNA/DNA hybrid contribute to target discrimination by tuning the cleavage reaction transition state through the modulation of PAM-distal unwinding. The finding provides mechanistic insights for the further development of strategies that use RNA guide truncation to enhance Cas9 specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Brendon H Cooper
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Yukang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Difei Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Xiaojun Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Remo Rohs
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Peter Z Qin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
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3
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Yu W, Xu X, Jin K, Liu Y, Li J, Du G, Lv X, Liu L. Genetically encoded biosensors for microbial synthetic biology: From conceptual frameworks to practical applications. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 62:108077. [PMID: 36502964 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Genetically encoded biosensors are the vital components of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, as they are regarded as powerful devices for the dynamic control of genotype metabolism and evolution/screening of desirable phenotypes. This review summarized the recent advances in the construction and applications of different genetically encoded biosensors, including fluorescent protein-based biosensors, nucleic acid-based biosensors, allosteric transcription factor-based biosensors and two-component system-based biosensors. First, the construction frameworks of these biosensors were outlined. Then, the recent progress of biosensor applications in creating versatile microbial cell factories for the bioproduction of high-value chemicals was summarized. Finally, the challenges and prospects for constructing robust and sophisticated biosensors were discussed. This review provided theoretical guidance for constructing genetically encoded biosensors to create desirable microbial cell factories for sustainable bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Yu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Xianhao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Ke Jin
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yanfeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jianghua Li
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Guocheng Du
- Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Xueqin Lv
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Long Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
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4
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Cobalamin Riboswitches Are Broadly Sensitive to Corrinoid Cofactors to Enable an Efficient Gene Regulatory Strategy. mBio 2022; 13:e0112122. [PMID: 35993747 PMCID: PMC9600662 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01121-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In bacteria, many essential metabolic processes are controlled by riboswitches, gene regulatory RNAs that directly bind and detect metabolites. Highly specific effector binding enables riboswitches to respond to a single biologically relevant metabolite. Cobalamin riboswitches are a potential exception because over a dozen chemically similar but functionally distinct cobalamin variants (corrinoid cofactors) exist in nature. Here, we measured cobalamin riboswitch activity in vivo using a Bacillus subtilis fluorescent reporter system and found, among 38 tested riboswitches, a subset responded to corrinoids promiscuously, while others were semiselective. Analyses of chimeric riboswitches and structural models indicate, unlike other riboswitch classes, cobalamin riboswitches indirectly differentiate among corrinoids by sensing differences in their structural conformation. This regulatory strategy aligns riboswitch-corrinoid specificity with cellular corrinoid requirements in a B. subtilis model. Thus, bacteria can employ broadly sensitive riboswitches to cope with the chemical diversity of essential metabolites. IMPORTANCE Some bacterial mRNAs contain a region called a riboswitch which controls gene expression by binding to a metabolite in the cell. Typically, riboswitches sense and respond to a limited range of cellular metabolites, often just one type. In this work, we found the cobalamin (vitamin B12) riboswitch class is an exception, capable of sensing and responding to multiple variants of B12-collectively called corrinoids. We found cobalamin riboswitches vary in corrinoid specificity with some riboswitches responding to each of the corrinoids we tested, while others responding only to a subset of corrinoids. Our results suggest the latter class of riboswitches sense intrinsic conformational differences among corrinoids in order to support the corrinoid-specific needs of the cell. These findings provide insight into how bacteria sense and respond to an exceptionally diverse, often essential set of enzyme cofactors.
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Pelea O, Fulga TA, Sauka-Spengler T. RNA-Responsive gRNAs for Controlling CRISPR Activity: Current Advances, Future Directions, and Potential Applications. CRISPR J 2022; 5:642-659. [PMID: 36206027 PMCID: PMC9618385 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2022.0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 has emerged as a major genome manipulation tool. As Cas9 can cause off-target effects, several methods for controlling the expression of CRISPR systems were developed. Recent studies have shown that CRISPR activity could be controlled by sensing expression levels of endogenous transcripts. This is particularly interesting, as endogenous RNAs could harbor important information about the cell type, disease state, and environmental challenges cells are facing. Single-guide RNA (sgRNA) engineering played a major role in the development of RNA-responsive CRISPR systems. Following further optimizations, RNA-responsive sgRNAs could enable the development of novel therapeutic and research applications. This review introduces engineering strategies that could be employed to modify Streptococcus pyogenes sgRNAs with a focus on recent advances made toward the development of RNA-responsive sgRNAs. Future directions and potential applications of these technologies are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana Pelea
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; and Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,Address correspondence to: Oana Pelea, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom,
| | - Tudor A. Fulga
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; and Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Tatjana Sauka-Spengler
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; and Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,Address correspondence to: Tatjana Sauka-Spengler, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom,
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6
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Engineering Toehold-Mediated Switches for Native RNA Detection and Regulation in Bacteria. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167689. [PMID: 35717997 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
RNA switches are versatile tools in synthetic biology for sensing and regulation applications. The discoveries of RNA-mediated translational and transcriptional control have facilitated the development of complexde novodesigns of RNA switches. Specifically, RNA toehold-mediated switches, in which binding to the toehold sensing domain controls the transition between switch states via strand displacement, have been extensively adapted for coupling systems responses to specifictrans-RNA inputs. This review highlights some of the challenges associated with applying these switches for native RNA detectionin vivo, including transferability between organisms. The applicability and design considerations of toehold-mediated switches are discussed by highlighting twelve recently developed switch designs. This review finishes with future perspectives to address current gaps in the field, particularly regarding the power of structural prediction algorithms for improved in vivo functionality of RNA switches.
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7
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Zhan Y, Li A, Cao C, Liu Y. CRISPR signal conductor 2.0 for redirecting cellular information flow. Cell Discov 2022; 8:26. [PMID: 35288535 PMCID: PMC8921274 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-021-00371-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A key challenge in designing intelligent artificial gene circuits is generating flexible connections between arbitrary components and directly coupling them with endogenous signaling pathways. The CRISPR signal conductor based on conditionally inducible artificial transcriptional regulators can link classic cellular protein signals with targeted gene expression, but there are still problems with multiple signal processing and gene delivery. With the discovery and characterization of new Cas systems and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) functional motifs, and because of the compatibility of guide RNA with noncoding RNA elements at multiple sites, it is increasingly possible to solve these problems. In this study, we developed CRISPR signal conductor version 2.0 by integrating various lncRNA functional motifs into different parts of the crRNA in the CRISPR-dCasΦ system. This system can directly regulate the expression of target genes by recruiting cellular endogenous transcription factors and efficiently sense a variety of protein signals that are not detected by a classical synthetic system. The new system solved the problems of background leakage and insensitive signaling responses and enabled the construction of logic gates with as many as six input signals, which can be used to specifically target cancer cells. By rewiring endogenous signaling networks, we further demonstrated the effectiveness and biosafety of this system for in vivo cancer gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghao Zhan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.,Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Aolin Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.,Department of Urology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Congcong Cao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. .,Department of Urology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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8
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van Essen M, Riepsaame J, Jacob J. CRISPR-Cas Gene Perturbation and Editing in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. CRISPR J 2021; 4:634-655. [PMID: 34582693 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2021.0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Directing the fates of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) to generate a multitude of differentiated cell types allows the study of the genetic regulation of human development and disease. The translational potential of hPSC is maximized by exploiting CRISPR to silence or activate genes with spatial and temporal precision permanently or reversibly. Here, we summarize the increasingly refined and diverse CRISPR toolkit for the latter forms of gene perturbation in hPSC and their downstream applications. We discuss newer methods to install edits efficiently with single nucleotide resolution and describe pooled CRISPR screens as a powerful means of unbiased discovery of genes associated with a phenotype of interest. Last, we discuss the potential of these combined technologies in the treatment of hitherto intractable human diseases and the challenges to their implementation in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max van Essen
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom; and University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joey Riepsaame
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - John Jacob
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom; and University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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9
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Saeb MR, Rabiee N, Seidi F, Farasati Far B, Bagherzadeh M, Lima EC, Rabiee M. Green CoNi2S4/porphyrin decorated carbon-based nanocomposites for genetic materials detection. JOURNAL OF BIORESOURCES AND BIOPRODUCTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jobab.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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10
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Gu C, Xiao L, Shang J, Xu X, He L, Xiang Y. Chemical synthesis of stimuli-responsive guide RNA for conditional control of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Chem Sci 2021; 12:9934-9945. [PMID: 34377390 PMCID: PMC8317661 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01194d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 promotes changes in identity or abundance of nucleic acids in live cells and is a programmable modality of broad biotechnological and therapeutic interest. To reduce off-target effects, tools for conditional control of CRISPR-Cas9 functions are under active research, such as stimuli-responsive guide RNA (gRNA). However, the types of physiologically relevant stimuli that can trigger gRNA are largely limited due to the lack of a versatile synthetic approach in chemistry to introduce diverse labile modifications into gRNA. In this work, we developed such a general method to prepare stimuli-responsive gRNA based on site-specific derivatization of 2′-O-methylribonucleotide phosphorothioate (PS-2′-OMe). We demonstrated CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing in human cells triggered by oxidative stress and visible light, respectively. Our study tackles the synthetic challenge and paves the way for chemically modified RNA to play more active roles in gene therapy. Conditional control of CRISPR-Cas9 activity by reactive oxygen species and visible light is achieved using stimuli-responsive guide RNA synthesized by a general method based on RNA 2′-O-methylribonucleotide phosphorothioate.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Gu
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory for Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Lu Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory for Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Jiachen Shang
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory for Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory for Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Luo He
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory for Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Yu Xiang
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory for Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
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11
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Taneda A, Sato K. A Web Server for Designing Molecular Switches Composed of Two Interacting RNAs. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052720. [PMID: 33800268 PMCID: PMC7962656 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The programmability of RNA–RNA interactions through intermolecular base-pairing has been successfully exploited to design a variety of RNA devices that artificially regulate gene expression. An in silico design for interacting structured RNA sequences that satisfies multiple design criteria becomes a complex multi-objective problem. Although multi-objective optimization is a powerful technique that explores a vast solution space without empirical weights between design objectives, to date, no web service for multi-objective design of RNA switches that utilizes RNA–RNA interaction has been proposed. We developed a web server, which is based on a multi-objective design algorithm called MODENA, to design two interacting RNAs that form a complex in silico. By predicting the secondary structures with RactIP during the design process, we can design RNAs that form a joint secondary structure with an external pseudoknot. The energy barrier upon the complex formation is modeled by an interaction seed that is optimized in the design algorithm. We benchmarked the RNA switch design approaches (MODENA+RactIP and MODENA+RNAcofold) for the target structures based on natural RNA-RNA interactions. As a result, MODENA+RactIP showed high design performance for the benchmark datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akito Taneda
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8561, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Kengo Sato
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan;
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12
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Ender A, Etzel M, Hammer S, Findeiß S, Stadler P, Mörl M. Ligand-dependent tRNA processing by a rationally designed RNase P riboswitch. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:1784-1800. [PMID: 33469651 PMCID: PMC7897497 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a synthetic riboswitch element that implements a regulatory principle which directly addresses an essential tRNA maturation step. Constructed using a rational in silico design approach, this riboswitch regulates RNase P-catalyzed tRNA 5′-processing by either sequestering or exposing the single-stranded 5′-leader region of the tRNA precursor in response to a ligand. A single base pair in the 5′-leader defines the regulatory potential of the riboswitch both in vitro and in vivo. Our data provide proof for prior postulates on the importance of the structure of the leader region for tRNA maturation. We demonstrate that computational predictions of ligand-dependent structural rearrangements can address individual maturation steps of stable non-coding RNAs, thus making them amenable as promising target for regulatory devices that can be used as functional building blocks in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ender
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maja Etzel
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Hammer
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sven Findeiß
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter Stadler
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Science, Inselstr. 22, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstr. 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.,Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
| | - Mario Mörl
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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13
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Galizi R, Duncan JN, Rostain W, Quinn CM, Storch M, Kushwaha M, Jaramillo A. Engineered RNA-Interacting CRISPR Guide RNAs for Genetic Sensing and Diagnostics. CRISPR J 2020; 3:398-408. [PMID: 33095053 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2020.0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR guide RNAs (gRNAs) can be programmed with relative ease to allow the genetic editing of nearly any DNA or RNA sequence. Here, we propose novel molecular architectures to achieve RNA-dependent modulation of CRISPR activity in response to specific RNA molecules. We designed and tested, in both living Escherichia coli cells and cell-free assays for rapid prototyping, cis-repressed RNA-interacting guide RNA (igRNA) that switch to their active state only upon interaction with small RNA fragments or long RNA transcripts, including pathogen-derived mRNAs of medical relevance such as the human immunodeficiency virus infectivity factor. The proposed CRISPR-igRNAs are fully customizable and easily adaptable to the majority if not all the available CRISPR-Cas variants to modulate a variety of genetic functions in response to specific cellular conditions, providing orthogonal activation and increased specificity. We thereby foresee a large scope of application for therapeutic, diagnostic, and biotech applications in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Galizi
- Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology, School of Life Sciences, Keele University, Keele, United Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John N Duncan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - William Rostain
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte M Quinn
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Marko Storch
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- London Biofoundry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manish Kushwaha
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, MIcalis Institute, Paris, France
| | - Alfonso Jaramillo
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Warwick Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre (WISB), University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
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14
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Micura R, Höbartner C. Fundamental studies of functional nucleic acids: aptamers, riboswitches, ribozymes and DNAzymes. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:7331-7353. [PMID: 32944725 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00617c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This review aims at juxtaposing common versus distinct structural and functional strategies that are applied by aptamers, riboswitches, and ribozymes/DNAzymes. Focusing on recently discovered systems, we begin our analysis with small-molecule binding aptamers, with emphasis on in vitro-selected fluorogenic RNA aptamers and their different modes of ligand binding and fluorescence activation. Fundamental insights are much needed to advance RNA imaging probes for detection of exo- and endogenous RNA and for RNA process tracking. Secondly, we discuss the latest gene expression-regulating mRNA riboswitches that respond to the alarmone ppGpp, to PRPP, to NAD+, to adenosine and cytidine diphosphates, and to precursors of thiamine biosynthesis (HMP-PP), and we outline new subclasses of SAM and tetrahydrofolate-binding RNA regulators. Many riboswitches bind protein enzyme cofactors that, in principle, can catalyse a chemical reaction. For RNA, however, only one system (glmS ribozyme) has been identified in Nature thus far that utilizes a small molecule - glucosamine-6-phosphate - to participate directly in reaction catalysis (phosphodiester cleavage). We wonder why that is the case and what is to be done to reveal such likely existing cellular activities that could be more diverse than currently imagined. Thirdly, this brings us to the four latest small nucleolytic ribozymes termed twister, twister-sister, pistol, and hatchet as well as to in vitro selected DNA and RNA enzymes that promote new chemistry, mainly by exploiting their ability for RNA labelling and nucleoside modification recognition. Enormous progress in understanding the strategies of nucleic acids catalysts has been made by providing thorough structural fundaments (e.g. first structure of a DNAzyme, structures of ribozyme transition state mimics) in combination with functional assays and atomic mutagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Micura
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck CMBI, Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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15
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16
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Hoang Trung Chau T, Hoang Anh Mai D, Ngoc Pham D, Thi Quynh Le H, Yeol Lee E. Developments of Riboswitches and Toehold Switches for Molecular Detection-Biosensing and Molecular Diagnostics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3192. [PMID: 32366036 PMCID: PMC7247568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Riboswitches and toehold switches are considered to have potential for implementation in various fields, i.e., biosensing, metabolic engineering, and molecular diagnostics. The specific binding, programmability, and manipulability of these RNA-based molecules enable their intensive deployments in molecular detection as biosensors for regulating gene expressions, tracking metabolites, or detecting RNA sequences of pathogenic microorganisms. In this review, we will focus on the development of riboswitches and toehold switches in biosensing and molecular diagnostics. This review introduces the operating principles and the notable design features of riboswitches as well as toehold switches. Moreover, we will describe the advances and future directions of riboswitches and toehold switches in biosensing and molecular diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Eun Yeol Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Korea; (T.H.T.C.); (D.H.A.M.); (D.N.P.); (H.T.Q.L.)
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17
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Zhan H, Xiao L, Li A, Yao L, Cai Z, Liu Y. Engineering Cellular Signal Sensors based on CRISPR-sgRNA Reconstruction Approaches. Int J Biol Sci 2020; 16:1441-1449. [PMID: 32210731 PMCID: PMC7085220 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.42299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the CRISPR systems has enriched the application of gene therapy and biotechnology. As a type of robust and simple toolbox, the CRISPR system has greatly promoted the development of cellular signal sensors at the genomic level. Although CRISPR systems have demonstrated that they can be used in eukaryotic and even mammalian cells after extraction from prokaryotic cells, controlling their gene-editing activity remains a challenge. Here we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of building a CRIRPR-based signal sensor through sgRNA reconstruction, as well as possible ways to reprogram the signal network of cells. We also propose how to further improve the design of the current signal sensors based on sgRNA-riboswitch. We believe that the development of these technologies and the construction of platforms can further promote the development of environment detection, disease diagnosis, and gene therapy by means of synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengji Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518035, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518035, China
- Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518035, China
| | - Lulu Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518035, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518035, China
| | - Aolin Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518035, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518035, China
| | - Lin Yao
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Institute of Urology, Peking University, National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Zhiming Cai
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518035, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518035, China
- Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518035, China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Reprogramming Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen 518035, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518035, China
- Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518035, China
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18
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Reprogramming bacteria with RNA regulators. Biochem Soc Trans 2019; 47:1279-1289. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20190173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The revolution of genomics and growth of systems biology urged the creation of synthetic biology, an engineering discipline aiming at recreating and reprogramming cellular functions for industrial needs. There has been a huge effort in synthetic biology to develop versatile and programmable genetic regulators that would enable the precise control of gene expression. Synthetic RNA components have emerged as a solution, offering a diverse range of programmable functions, including signal sensing, gene regulation and the modulation of molecular interactions. Owing to their compactness, structure and way of action, several types of RNA devices that act on DNA, RNA and protein have been characterized and applied in synthetic biology. RNA-based approaches are more ‘economical' for the cell, since they are generally not translated. These RNA-based strategies act on a much shorter time scale than transcription-based ones and can be more efficient than protein-based mechanisms. In this review, we explore these RNA components as building blocks in the RNA synthetic biology field, first by explaining their natural mode of action and secondly discussing how these RNA components have been exploited to rewire bacterial regulatory circuitry.
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Mao T, Long J, Duan G, Yang H. Commentary: Study the Features of 57 Confirmed CRISPR Loci in 38 Strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:59. [PMID: 30774625 PMCID: PMC6367246 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Mao
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinzhao Long
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guangcai Duan
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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